Blog By Tania Joyce

Meet my heroine in Propositions: Jessica Mason

After working in corporate marketing for many years, I have learned a great deal and have had many ups and downs along the way. My experience has fallen in the mining, IT and insurance premium sectors and I’ve faced many challenges working in a “male dominated” industry. This personal experience has definitely influenced and led me to write about career-oriented, empowered women who are fulfilled by their jobs. They don’t need a man in their life … it just so happens that after a lot of drama, my ladies find 'the one' that does lead to their happy ever after.

My main character’s name is Jessica Mason. She is 36yrs old divorcee who co-owns a Marketing and Event Management company with her business partner Alex Chambers.

2.) When and where is the story set?

Propositions is set in today’s timeframe among the dazzling lights of Sydney’s Darling Harbour and the gorgeous Hunter Valley wine region.

The novel is set around the events surrounding the opening of a new hotel , Somers Hotel, and Jessica visiting a vineyard, Gumtrees Winery, for some rest and recuperation.

3.) What should we know about her?

Her success has come about after many struggles. Her secrets were well hidden for many years thanks to her strict catholic parents who were ashamed of her actions when she was a teenager. This humiliation lead to Jessica having grit determination and a fire in her belly that drives her to build a successful career so she would be recognised, praised and rewarded for her achievements, not for her foolish past.

She is tall, blonde and professional – designer suits and fancy shoes. She’s worked hard for her rewarding lifestyle, she’s proud of her son and has a great bunch of friends that are always there to lean on through tough times or to celebrate special occasions.

4.) What is the main conflict? What messes up his/her life?

Jessica has a fear of abandonment. That’s why she never wants to get close to anyone again. Two significant people in her life up’d and left her for other women, so she aims to protect her heart at all costs and avoid relationships.

But everything changes when her agency wins a major contract for the opening of the new Somers Hotel and she has to take on the account. Meeting Nate Somers was not in her game plan. Things get even more complicated when Troy Smith, her ex-boyfriend, comes back into her life and her darkest secrets are revealed.

5) Who would you have play her in a movie?

Wow! That’s a tough one because from day one this character had a life of her own and was not influenced by anyone. After thinking about this a lot … and I mean a lot … maybe Charlize Theron.

Following years of sacrifice and struggle, Jessica Mason now co-owns a successful marketing agency in Sydney. All Jessica wants to do is focus on growing her business and maintain the lifestyle she's worked so hard to achieve. But everything changes when her agency wins a major contract for the opening of the new Somers Hotel and she has to take on the account.

Nate Somers is a workaholic trying to please his retiring father. When he meets captivating, go-getting Jessica, the prospect of a short-term love affair sounds like a proposition he'd be crazy to decline.

But when Jessica spends a weekend away at her favorite vineyard retreat, she runs into Troy Smith, the ex-boyfriend who left her broken and vulnerable years ago. Things don't go to plan when the well-kept secrets from her past are revealed and Troy starts weaving his way back into her life.

With her business at stake and hearts at risk, Jessica's future is destined to change. Who will end up making Jessica a proposition she simply cannot refuse?